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Swansea City boss Steve Cooper and chairman Trevor Birch have both agreed to a significant deferral in wages in order to help the club through the financial uncertainty caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

With all football activity suspended until at least the end of April, Swansea are just one of a number of clubs in the footballing pyramid to face financial challenges.

The club has since vowed to pay the remaining 20 per cent for the "immediate future".

And the announcement on Cooper and Birch's salaries is expected to be followed up by further wage deferrals by other senior members of staff this month.

In a statement, Birch said: “In these difficult circumstances we as a club are doing our bit to support the wider community and assist those doing such great work in the NHS, emergency services, voluntary, food and medical sectors, including offering the stadium to the emergency services.

“However, because of the uncertainty surrounding the re-starting of the season and its financial implications, we will also need to do all we can to protect the financial integrity of the club.

“We need to give ourselves the best prospect of emerging from this crisis intact with all our workforce still in jobs and the club remaining a viable business going forwards.

“These are obviously very difficult times for us all and we are working hard to safeguard all staff through this difficult period. Staff are important to us as people as well as employees. But we also have to take measures that ensure we emerge from this crisis not only physically intact but also financially safe.

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“The players are willing and will be doing their bit to protect the club too. In this regard ongoing discussions are taking place with the EFL and the PFA along with other Championship clubs where it is hoped there will be a collective agreement reached. In the meantime the manager and myself thought it was important to take a lead in these uncertain times and have agreed to defer a substantial amount of our wages going forward. Everyone has to play their part in helping to secure the future of this football club and its loyal staff.’’

Swans boss Cooper added: “Everyone has to pull together during these difficult times in the hope that we can come through it as unscathed as possible.

“The club has confirmed this week that it will be placing a number of staff on furlough leave - and it is a credit to the club that they will retain 100 per cent of their wages - but it is important that as senior figures we play our part as well.

“This football club is so important to the supporters and the city, and the fact that I am taking a wage deferral is the least I can do.’’

Meanwhile, the club has also said that members of staff on zero hours contracts will also be placed on the furlough scheme, and will receive their full average pay based on three months of earning since January.

All members of staff placed on furlough will also continue to receive normal benefits from the club, such as pension contributions.